draw

to make move toward one or along with one by or as by exerting force; pull; haul; drag: a horse draws the cart

to pull up (a sail, drawbridge, etc.)

to pull down (a window shade, etc.)

to pull in (a dragnet, etc.)

to pull aside or together (a curtain, etc.)

to pull across, as a violin bow over strings

to pull back the bowstring of (an archer's bow) to need (a specified depth of water) to float in: said of a shipBilliards to cause (the cue ball) to reverse direction after it hits an object ball, by imparting backspin to itCricket to deflect (the ball) to the side of the field on which the batsman stands, by a slight turn of the batGolf to deliberately cause (a ball) to hook slightly

to attract; charm; entice

to attract (audiences of a specified size or kind)

to take (air, smoke, etc.) into the mouth or lungs; breathe in, inhale, etc. to provoke (a person) into speaking, responding, taking action, etc.: usually in the passive to bring forth; elicit: his challenge drew no reply to bring about as a result; bring on; provoke: to draw the enemy's fireMed. to cause a flow of (blood, pus, etc.) to some part

to pull out; take out; remove; extract, as a tooth, cork, weapon, etc.

to cause (liquid) to flow from an opening, tap, etc.: to draw a bath, to draw blood

to take out the viscera of; disembowel to get or receive from some source: to draw a good salary to withdraw (money) held in an account to have accruing to it: savings that draw interest to write (a check or draft) to reach (a conclusion or inference); deduce to get or pick (a number, straw, prize, etc.) at random, as in a lottery to bring (a contest or game) to a tieCard Games

to take or get (a card or cards)

to cause (a card or cards) to be played out: draw your opponent's trump

to pull out to its fullest extent; make tense; stretch; extend: to draw a rope tight to pull out of shape; distort to stretch, flatten, or shape (metal) by die stamping, hammering, etc. to make metal into (wire) by pulling it through holes

to make (lines, figures, pictures, etc.), as with a pencil, pen, brush, or stylus; diagram to describe in words to make (comparisons, etc.); formulate

Origin of draw

Middle English drawen ; from Old English dragan, akin to Old Norse draga, to drag, German tragen, to bear, carry ; from Indo-European base an unverified form dherāgh-, to pull, draw along from source Classical Latin trahere, to pull, draw

intransitive verb

to draw something (in various senses of the vt.)

to be drawn or have a drawing effect

to come; move; approach: to draw nearer

to shrink or contract

to allow a draft of air, smoke, etc. to move through: the chimney draws well

to suck (on a tobacco pipe, etc.)

to attract audiences

to become filled with wind: said of sails

to steep: said of tea

to make a demand or demands (on or upon)

Hunting

to track game by following its scent

to move slowly toward the game after pointing: said of hounds

noun

a drawing or being drawn (in various senses)

the result of drawing

a thing drawn

the cards dealt as replacements in draw poker

Origin of draw

from, formerly, the withdrawal of stakes in such a case a tie; stalemate: the game ended in a draw

a thing that attracts interest, audiences, etc.

☆ the movable part of a drawbridge

a shallow gully or ravine, as one that water drains into or through

☆ Football a play in which the quarterback moves back to pass and then quickly gives the ball to a running back or quickly reverses direction and runs with the ball

draw Idioms

beat to the draw

☆

to be quicker than (another) in doing something, as in drawing one's weapon

draw and quarter

Medieval History

to execute by tying each arm and leg to a different horse, and then driving the horses in four different directions

To take or pull out: drew a gun from beneath the counter; drew out a fat wallet.

a. To extract or take for one's own use: draw strength from one's friends.

b. To make (tea) by steeping.

To eviscerate; disembowel: a traitor to the king who was drawn and quartered.

a. To cause to come by attracting; attract: afraid the casino will draw undesirable elements to the town.

b. To select or take in from a given group, type, or region: draw clients from all levels of society.

To bring to a certain condition or action; lead: drawn to despair; drew them to resign.

To bring about deliberately; provoke: draw enemy fire; draw a penalty on an opponent.

To evoke as a response; elicit: a performance that drew jeers from the audience.

To earn; gain: deposits that draw interest at a rate of 5 percent.

a. To withdraw (money).

b. To use (a check, for example) when paying.

c. To receive on a regular basis or at a specified time: draw a pension.

To take or receive by chance: draw lots.

Games

a. To take (cards) from a dealer or central stack.

b. To force (a card) to be played.

To end or leave (a contest) tied or undecided.

Sports

a. To hit or strike (a billiard ball, for example) so as to give it backspin.

b. To hit (a golf ball) with a draw.

a. To make tense or taut: drew the rope across the ravine.

b. To pull back the string of (a bow).

c. To distort the shape of: He drew his face into a scowl.

a. To flatten, stretch, or mold (metal) by hammering or die stamping.

b. To shape or elongate (a wire, for example) by pulling through dies.

a. To inscribe (a line or lines) with a pencil or other marking implement.

b. To make a likeness of on a surface, using mostly lines; depict with lines: drew a map of the area; drawing landscapes and still lifes.

c. To portray in writing or speech; depict with words: draws moving scenes of ghetto life.

21. To formulate or devise from evidence or data at hand: draw a comparison.

22. To compose or write out in legal format: draw a deed.

verb

, intransitive

To proceed or move steadily: a ship drawing near the shore.

To attract customers or spectators: The new play is drawing well.

To pour forth liquid: The patient's veins don't draw easily.

To cause suppuration.

To take in a draft of air: The flue isn't drawing.

To steep in or as if in the manner of tea.

To pull out a weapon for use.

To use or call upon part of a fund or supply: drawing on an account; drew from the experience of fellow workers.

To contract or tighten: material that draws when it dries.

To conclude a contest without either side winning; tie: The chess players drew in 32 moves.

To make a likeness with lines on a surface; sketch.

noun

a. An act of drawing.

b. The result of drawing.

Something drawn, especially a lot, card, or cards drawn at random.

Sports & Games

a. The arrangement of competitors in a tournament in which the matchups are made at random.

b. A matchup or opponent in such a tournament.

An inhalation, especially through a pipe or other smoking implement.

One that attracts interest, customers, or spectators: a singer who is a popular draw.

The movable part of a drawbridge.

A special advantage; an edge: have the draw on one's enemies.

A contest ending without either side winning.

A small natural depression that water drains into; a shallow gully.

Football A play in which the quarterback drops back as if to pass and then runs or hands off to a running back.

Sports A face-off.

a. Games A draw shot.

b. Sports A moderate, usually controlled hook in golf.

Phrasal Verbs: draw away To move ahead of competitors. draw back To retreat. draw down To reduce or deplete by consuming or spending: drew down our food reserves. To reduce (military forces in a specific deployment). draw on To approach: as evening draws on.draw out To prolong; protract. To induce to speak freely: managed to draw the shy child out.draw up To compose or write in a set form; write out: draw up a contract; draw up a list. To bring (troops, for example) into order. To bring or come to a halt. To bring (oneself) into an erect posture, often as an expression of dignity or indignation. Chiefly Southern US To shrink when washed. Used of clothes.